First responders train with gaming technology

By Kathleen HickeyGovernment Computer News

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Virtual reality and gaming technology increasingly are being used to train first responders to deal with natural disasters. As the cost of using the technology has dropped, specialists say, virtual reality technology has proved to be a useful tool to help first responders and counterterrorism agencies react quickly and appropriately to a variety of scenarios.

The technology's rapid rise has also been spurred by recent hardware and software improvements, officials who have used the systems say. Improved processor speeds and better graphics allow simulations to run on almost any PC, including laptops in the field.